Tips for oily/combination skin

A skin that is combination-oily has a higher activity of the pilosebaceous glands or rate of sebum production due to genetics, hormones, lifestyle, diet or vitamin deficiencies.

Here are a few tips to care for this skin type:

1. Use an oil cleanser before you usual cleanser
This is an incredible tool for any skin type, but can be applied so effectively for oily skin.
Think about what would happen if you put water and oil into a bowl… they do not mix. What would happen if you put two different oils into a bowl? They would mix. Oils mix easily together, or rather oils break down other oils very effectively. This is the case with your own oil (sebum) and an oil cleanser. We are able to breakdown your excess oils gently without impairing your skins barrier functions. This brings me on to the next tip…

2. Do not use an overly harsh or foamy cleanser
Going back to high school chemistry… your skin is has a pH of roughly 5.5 which is on the acidic side. If you use a harsh alkaline (basic) and foaming cleansing you are altering your skins natural pH and impairing the acid mantle or barrier by stripping too much oil.
What tends to happen in this scenario is an INCREASE in your natural sebum production because your skin now feels that it is impaired and lacking in oil. Unfortunately you end up in a viscous cycle of feeling oily, cleansing it ALL away and your skin producing MORE oil.

3. Use a gentle cleanser that contains some AHAs or BHAs
Utilising a cleanser that contains Alpha Hydroxy Acids or Beta Hydroxy Acids will aid in the desquamation or exfoliation of your skin cells and help improve cell turn over. This is a much more effective way to gently break down oils without the negative effects of a harsh/foaming cleanser.
Look for Lactic acid (AHA) and Salicylic acid (BHA) in the ingredients.

4. Use serums containing vitamins A, B and C
These ingredients are incredibly important to normalise all functions of the skin and create a healthier skin. A combination of these ingredients will normalise sebum production, cell turnover, improve problematic skin conditions, nurture stressed skin, improve trans-epidermal water-loss and increase elastin and collagen production (improve the appearance and size of pores).

5. Utilise moisturisers containing hyaluronic acid
If your skin tends to breakout easily when using thicker serums/moisturisers, find one containing hyaluronic acid. This ingredient is found naturally in our skin, is typically very lightweight when used in serums BUT each molecule holds 1000 x its weight in moisture. This means it is an effective way to pump hydration into the skin without feeling heavy or clogging pores.

6. Sugary foods and dairy can increase sebum production
Try and see if notice a correlation between sugary foods/dairy and increased oil or breakouts in your skin. They way that these react to insulin, insulin like growth factors and male hormones can adversely increase sebocyte activity. Try and minimise both food types if this applies to you.

Super market and chemist brands often DO NOT contain quality ingredients or sufficient dosages to create changes in your skin.If you are unsure which products are best for you, or would like personlised recommendations and help, don’t feel scared to book in a complementary skin consultation. This is incredibly important to ensure you are using what is BEST for your skin and not causing further damage.